20 Things to Start Doing Now to Keep Canada Beautiful

July 4, 2017Doug Murray

Canada is an awesome country but let’s face it: if we don’t make some changes in the way we live, that beauty will fade far too soon. Want to help? Here are some small things you can start doing now to keep Canada beautiful.

Green Living

20 Things to Start Doing Now to Keep Canada Beautiful

July 4, 2017 Doug Murray

Canada is an awesome country but let’s face it: if we don’t make some changes in the way we live, that beauty will fade far too soon. Want to help? Here are some small things you can start doing now to keep Canada beautiful.

1. Don’t Litter

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1. Don’t Litter

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Few things can mar a pretty landscape quite like litter does. Keep a bag in which to carry your trash until you can throw it in a trash can.

2. Get a Reusable Mug

It takes about half a million trees to make the estimated 1.5 billion paper cups Canadians throw away every year. Invest in a reusable mug for your coffee take-out.

Photo Credit: Brugo/Wikimedia Commons

3. Get a Reusable Water Bottle

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3. Get a Reusable Water Bottle

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

According to the <a href="https://canadians.org/sites/default/files/publications/5%20reasons%20to%20ban%20bottled%20water.pdf" target="_blank">Council of Canadians</a>, in some communities as much as 80% of landfill space is taken up by plastic water bottles. Get a reusable water bottle that you can refill with tap water or the beverage of your choice.

3. Get a Reusable Water Bottle

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According to the <a href="https://canadians.org/sites/default/files/publications/5%20reasons%20to%20ban%20bottled%20water.pdf" target="_blank">Council of Canadians</a>, in some communities as much as 80% of landfill space is taken up by plastic water bottles. Get a reusable water bottle that you can refill with tap water or the beverage of your choice.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

4. Say No to Plastic Straws

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4. Say No to Plastic Straws

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Photo Credit: Horia Varlan/Wikimedia Commons

Plastic drinking straws are a major contributor to plastic pollution and can be a serious health hazard to wildlife. Say no to straws or bring your own, reusable straw. There are options made of materials such as stainless steel, silicone, bamboo and glass.

4. Say No to Plastic Straws

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Plastic drinking straws are a major contributor to plastic pollution and can be a serious health hazard to wildlife. Say no to straws or bring your own, reusable straw. There are options made of materials such as stainless steel, silicone, bamboo and glass.

Photo Credit: Horia Varlan/Wikimedia Commons

5. Stop Using Paper Towels and Napkins

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5. Stop Using Paper Towels and Napkins

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Photo Credit: Santeri Viinamäki/Wikimedia Commons

According to <a href="http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/Global/canada/report/2006/5/tissueguide.pdf" target="_blank">Greenpeace</a>, Canadians throw away more than 700,000 tonnes of disposable tissue products, including paper towels, napkins and tissues. This is a factor in the destruction of the country’s ancient forests, so opt for reusable towels and napkins and handkerchiefs instead.

5. Stop Using Paper Towels and Napkins

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According to <a href="http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/Global/canada/report/2006/5/tissueguide.pdf" target="_blank">Greenpeace</a>, Canadians throw away more than 700,000 tonnes of disposable tissue products, including paper towels, napkins and tissues. This is a factor in the destruction of the country’s ancient forests, so opt for reusable towels and napkins and handkerchiefs instead.

Photo Credit: Santeri Viinamäki/Wikimedia Commons

6. Change Your Toilet Paper

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6. Change Your Toilet Paper

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Photo Credit: Brandon Blinkenberg/Wikimedia Commons

The average Canadian uses 100 rolls of toilet paper a year, according to Greenpeace. Save some trees by switching to toilet paper made of recycled paper and install a water-saving bidet in your bathroom.

6. Change Your Toilet Paper

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The average Canadian uses 100 rolls of toilet paper a year, according to Greenpeace. Save some trees by switching to toilet paper made of recycled paper and install a water-saving bidet in your bathroom.

Photo Credit: Brandon Blinkenberg/Wikimedia Commons

7. Don’t Accidentally Start Wildfires

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7. Don’t Accidentally Start Wildfires

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Photo Credit: USDA/Wikimedia Commons

Wildfires not only cause serious damage to Canada’s boreal forests but also contribute to air and water pollution. Don’t throw cigarette butts out of car windows and if you’re hiking or camping, build fires only in designated areas. Never make a fire in windy conditions.

7. Don’t Accidentally Start Wildfires

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Wildfires not only cause serious damage to Canada’s boreal forests but also contribute to air and water pollution. Don’t throw cigarette butts out of car windows and if you’re hiking or camping, build fires only in designated areas. Never make a fire in windy conditions.

Photo Credit: USDA/Wikimedia Commons

8. Drive Less

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8. Drive Less

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Photo Credit: Paul Krueger/Wikimedia Commons

Your car is a major contributor to smog and global warming. Drive as little as possible by opting to carpool, using public transport, biking or walking.

8. Drive Less

Your car is a major contributor to smog and global warming. Drive as little as possible by opting to carpool, using public transport, biking or walking.

Photo Credit: Paul Krueger/Wikimedia Commons

9. Use Your Fireplace Less Often

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9. Use Your Fireplace Less Often

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Photo Credit: ErgoSum88/Wikimedia Commons

A roaring fire in the fireplace makes for a cozy winter’s night but before you light that little pile of wood, ask yourself if you really need it. Using your fireplace less often will not only save some trees but will also reduce smog.

9. Use Your Fireplace Less Often

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A roaring fire in the fireplace makes for a cozy winter’s night but before you light that little pile of wood, ask yourself if you really need it. Using your fireplace less often will not only save some trees but will also reduce smog.

Photo Credit: ErgoSum88/Wikimedia Commons

10. Use Energy-efficient Appliances

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10. Use Energy-efficient Appliances

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Even though Canada uses mainly hydroelectric power, a significant part of the country’s electricity still comes from non-renewable resources such as coal and gas. With energy-efficient appliances, you’ll use less energy, reduce the need for landscape-scarring coal mines and gas rigs and save on your hydro bill in the process.

10. Use Energy-efficient Appliances

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Even though Canada uses mainly hydroelectric power, a significant part of the country’s electricity still comes from non-renewable resources such as coal and gas. With energy-efficient appliances, you’ll use less energy, reduce the need for landscape-scarring coal mines and gas rigs and save on your hydro bill in the process.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

11. Use Less Energy

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11. Use Less Energy

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Photo Credit: Diliff/Wikimedia Commons

Even renewable energy sources like solar plants and wind farms are an eyesore. The less energy you use, the fewer electricity-generating plants will be needed.

12. Plant a Garden

Trees and other greenery help to reduce air pollution and global warming while also creating a habitat for wildlife. Plant a garden, focusing on plants native to your region.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

13. Buy Sustainably Produced Food

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13. Buy Sustainably Produced Food

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Photo Credit: Elina Mark/Wikimedia Commons

Sustainable agriculture involves practices that reduce water and soil pollution, erosion and deforestation. You don’t necessarily need to buy organic produce but be aware of the environmental impact of agriculture and buy food that was sustainably produced.

13. Buy Sustainably Produced Food

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Sustainable agriculture involves practices that reduce water and soil pollution, erosion and deforestation. You don’t necessarily need to buy organic produce but be aware of the environmental impact of agriculture and buy food that was sustainably produced.

Photo Credit: Elina Mark/Wikimedia Commons

14. Ditch the Packaging

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14. Ditch the Packaging

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Photo Credit: Marianne Brown/VOA/Wikimedia Commons

There’s no reason why your food or hygiene products should come wrapped in a plastic bag in a box which is then wrapped in plastic again. Choose products that come in minimal packaging and keep the landfills emptier.

14. Ditch the Packaging

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There’s no reason why your food or hygiene products should come wrapped in a plastic bag in a box which is then wrapped in plastic again. Choose products that come in minimal packaging and keep the landfills emptier.

Photo Credit: Marianne Brown/VOA/Wikimedia Commons

15. Buy in Bulk

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15. Buy in Bulk

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Photo Credit: Samuell/Wikimedia Commons

If your supermarket or grocery store has a bulk food section, bring your own container and refill it with what you need. This reduces waste from packaging and is usually cheaper.

15. Buy in Bulk

If your supermarket or grocery store has a bulk food section, bring your own container and refill it with what you need. This reduces waste from packaging and is usually cheaper.

Photo Credit: Samuell/Wikimedia Commons

16. Grow Your Own

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16. Grow Your Own

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Photo Credit: Spedona/Wikimedia Commons

When you grow your own veggies, herbs and fruit, you can limit the amount of pollution-causing agrochemicals that go into keeping your belly full. You’ll also help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted while transporting produce.

16. Grow Your Own

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When you grow your own veggies, herbs and fruit, you can limit the amount of pollution-causing agrochemicals that go into keeping your belly full. You’ll also help to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted while transporting produce.

Photo Credit: Spedona/Wikimedia Commons

17. Buy Biodegradable

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17. Buy Biodegradable

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Photo Credit: Uncy/Wikimedia Commons

Many cosmetics, hygiene products and detergents contain harmful chemicals that can wreak havoc on Canada’s water bodies. Opt for biodegradable products instead.

17. Buy Biodegradable

Many cosmetics, hygiene products and detergents contain harmful chemicals that can wreak havoc on Canada’s water bodies. Opt for biodegradable products instead.

Photo Credit: Uncy/Wikimedia Commons

18. Don’t Buy Every New Gadget

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18. Don’t Buy Every New Gadget

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Photo Credit: Ecokal/Wikimedia Commons

Every time you buy a new gadget, there’s an old one that you need to get rid of. Even though Canadians tend to be good at taking their e-waste to e-waste depots or donating their old electronics, at some point these products will end up in landfills.

18. Don’t Buy Every New Gadget

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Every time you buy a new gadget, there’s an old one that you need to get rid of. Even though Canadians tend to be good at taking their e-waste to e-waste depots or donating their old electronics, at some point these products will end up in landfills.

Photo Credit: Ecokal/Wikimedia Commons

19. Dispose of Waste Responsibly

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19. Dispose of Waste Responsibly

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Photo Credit: Michalis Famelis/Wikimedia Commons

Separate your trash into recyclables, non-recyclables and hazardous waste and dispose of it responsibly. Especially hazardous waste such as batteries that can seep into the soil and cause serious environmental problems.

19. Dispose of Waste Responsibly

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Separate your trash into recyclables, non-recyclables and hazardous waste and dispose of it responsibly. Especially hazardous waste such as batteries that can seep into the soil and cause serious environmental problems.

Photo Credit: Michalis Famelis/Wikimedia Commons

20. Live Up to the Stereotype

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20. Live Up to the Stereotype

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

To the rest of the world, the typical Canadian is friendly, polite, tolerant and peace-loving. Keep Canada beautiful not only on the outside but on the inside too by being the stereotypical nice Canadian.

20. Live Up to the Stereotype

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To the rest of the world, the typical Canadian is friendly, polite, tolerant and peace-loving. Keep Canada beautiful not only on the outside but on the inside too by being the stereotypical nice Canadian.